Hydrator adapter



June 29, 1954 R. M. SCHULTZ 2,682,

HYDRATOR ADAPTER Filed June 8, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 29, 1954 R. M. SCHULTZ 2,682,121

HYDRATOR ADAPTER Filed June 8, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 29, 1954 R. M. SCHULTZ HYDRATOR ADAPTER Filed June 8, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 t 24 a A 1/3 June 29, 1954 H T 2,682,121

HYDRATOR ADAPTER Filed June 8, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 i I" H 1' J6 1 WW l' 4 55 lzafiww .91

June 29, 1954 R. M. SCHULTZ 2,682,121

HYDRATOR ADAPTER Filed June 8, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 IN V TOR.

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June 29, 1954 scH 2,682,121

HYDRATOR ADAPTER Filed June 8, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented June 29, 1954 2,68Z ll UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HYDRATOR ADAPTER Roy M. Schultz, Chicago, 111., assignor, by mesne assignments, to David A. Freeman Gorporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June 8, 1951, Serial No. 230,600

17 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a garment pressing machine and more particularly to a device for use with one of the pressing elements of the machine to effect proper conditioning of a garment fabric p-icr to the pressing thereof. By proper conditioning is meant that the fabric fibers are made soft and pliable thereby resulting in an improved appearance of the finished garment.

In general the garment fabric is conditioned for pressing by causing steam to be directed onto the portion of the garment, disposed. between the pressing elements, prior to closing of the elements thereon. The steam for conditioning the fabric is normally obtained from a steam chest formed in the pressing element. Frequently the texture of the fabric is such as to require wet steam to be directed thereonto in order to facilitate softening of the fibers.

Thus it is one of the objects of this invention to provide a device which utilizes a portion of the steam from the steam chest to form condensate which in turn is combined with the remainder of the steam from the steam chest to efiect supersaturated steam which is used in properly conditioning the garment fabric.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device which will enable the operator to readily vary the moisture content of the steam used for fabric conditioning.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device which uses the pressure of the steam to cause the condensate to combine with the steam to effect supersaturation thereof and thereby eliminates the need for auxiliary pumps and the like to maintain the proper relative pressure ofth condensate with respect to the steam.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device which will cause the steam from the steam chest of thepressing element to be combined with a liquid which is substantially free of garment staining ingredients.

it is a further object of this invention to provide a device which enables the condensate to be directed onto the fabric only in combination with steam thereby minimizing the possibility of water-spotting the fabric.

it is a still further object of this invention to provide a device which is simple and compact in construction, efiective in operation, and adapted to be used with various types of garment pressing machines.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims. I

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention a device is provided for use with a pressing element which has a cavity formed therein through which steam is circulated. The device comprises a steam and condensate mixing unit mounted on the pressing element and having the input side thereof operatively connected to the steam cavity of the element, and a steam condenser mounted on said element and operatively connected to said cavity and the input side of said unit. The unit is provided with an output side and has leading therefrom a conduit which terminates at the pressing surface of the element. Disposed within the output side of the unit is a flow valve which regulates the discharge of the mixed condensate and steam at the pressing surface of the element. The ratio of condensate to steam in the mixture of steam and condensate is determined by the rate of flow of the steam through the mixing unit and the setting of the condensate flow valve.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should be made to the drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the device and the head of a pressing machine showing the steam and condensate flow indicated by arrows;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top plan VIEW of one form of the device shown mounted on a pressing head;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the mixing unit with portions thereof in vertical section;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the mixing unit taken along line i l of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the mixing unit taken along line 5-5 of Fig. l;

Fig. dis a fragmentary sectional view of the mixing unit taken along line -t of Fig. i;

Fig '7 is a fragmentary sectional view or" the mixing unit taken along line ?-'I of l;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional View of the mixing unit taken along line 88 of Fig.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the mixing unit taken'along line a e of Fig. 3'

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of the mixing unit taken along line iii-4e of 3;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the gasket disposed between the adapter piece and hous ng of the mixing unit;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of the condensate check valve taken along line l2-i2 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional View of the condensate check valve taken along line iii-43 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a modified form of the mixing unit;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view of the modified unit taken along line l-l5 of Fig. 14:;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view of the modified unit taken along line l6l6 of Fig.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a third modified form of the mixing unit;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary top plan view of a pressing head having a modified form of condenser mounted thereon;

Fig. 19 is a front elevational view of the press.- ing head shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary top plan View of a pressing head having a modified form of a condensate fiow valve mounted thereon;

Fig. 21 is a right end view of the pressing head shown in Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary view of the switch for regulating the condensate flow valve shown in Fig. 20;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary top plan view of a fourth modified form of a mixing unit;

Fig. 2a is a fragmentary side elevational view of the unit shown in Fig. 23;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view of a fourth form of the mixing unit taken along line 25-45 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary side elevational view of unit shown in Fig. 3 plus the addition of an actuating solenoid; and

Fig. 27 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a garment pressing machine having a third modified form of condenser mounted thereon.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1 a pressing head 23 of a conventional garment pressing machine 33 (see 27), is diagrammatically shown in combination with the hydrator adapter device. The pressing head 29 has formed therein a steam chest 3i and a distributing chamber 32 disposed therebeneath. The distributing chamber 32 is adjacent the pressing surface 33 of the head. The pressing surface 33 is perforated so as to enable the steam or wet steam which is discharged into chamber 32 outside source, not shown, to be circulated there through. see Fig. 2. Mounted on the upper side of pressing head 29 and connected to the steam chest 35 is a conduit 33 through which a portion of the dry steam, contained within the steam chest, is directed to a Venturi chamber 3?. The

dry steam at chamber 31 is combined with water or condensate to form wet steam. The water which is combined with the steam in the Venturi chamber is normally obtained from condensate formed from a portion of the steam contained within chest 3!.

The condensate is. formed within a condenser 38, diagrammatically shown in Fig. l, which is operatively connected to the steam return line 35. A valve ii! is provided which regulates the maximum flow of the condensate from the condenser 3fi to the Venturi chamber 31. The output side of the valve is connected by a conduit 39 to Venturi chamber 31. Subsequent to the steam and condensate mixing in Venturi chamber 31, the wet steam is directed through a conduit 41 to a main control valve 42 for the wet steam. Valve 42 is normally in a closed position as shown. Upon valve i2 being opened the wet steam passes from conduit il into another conduit 43. The

wet steam is then directed through conduit 53 to the distributing chamber 32 of the pressing head 29 whereupon it is distributed over the exposed portion of surface 33.

The pressing head 28 on which the device is placed has mounted thereon a handle 4 1 which enables the operator to readily move the head 29 from its open position, wherein it is angularly disposed with respect to the buck M, to a closed or pressing position with respect to the stationary buck M. The amount of pressure exerted by the pressing head 29 on the buck 44 is regulated by a pair of control levers l5 and 46 which are mounted in spaced relationship on the head.

The mixing unit 4'1 which forms apart of the hydrator adapter device is mounted on the upper side of the head. A pivotally mounted control lever 38 is provided on the head 29 for regulating the main wet steam control valve 42 which is disposed within mixing unit 41. As shown in Fig. 2, a condensate or water flow valve 50 is mounted on the upper side of the head 29 ad jacent the mixing unit 41. A pivotally mounted control lever 5| is provided on the head 29 for regulating valve 50.

One form of the mixing unit 41 is shown in detail in Fig. 3 and is adapted to be mounted within an opening 52 formed within a domclike portion 29 of the pressing head 29. The mixing unit 4'! comprises an axially-bored cylindricallyshaped connecter element 53 which extends through opening and has the lower end thereof threaded into an opening 49 formed in the partition 43' separating the steam chest 3| from the distributing chamber 32, in a manner as shown in Fig. 1?. Suitable sealing material 54 surrounds connecter element 53 and is held in place against domelike portion 29 by a holding nut 55 which is threadably mounted on the outer periphery of connecter 53, as shown in Fig. 3 The connecter element 53 is provided with an outwardly extending shoulder 5%? which is spaced from the upper end of the connecter element. The upper end portion of the axial bore of connecter element 53 has formed therein internal threads 51 and is adapted to receive an adapter piece 58.

The adapter piece 53 is provided with an externally threaded shank portion 53 and a hexagonal head portion Gt. Threadably mounted on the shank portion 59 is a clamping nut 66 which is adapted to clamp a bracket 62 between shoulder 56 of connecter element 53 and the underside of the clamping nut (31. The bracket 6?. is used for mounting an adapter housing 15 to the adapter piece 58 and connector element The housing 75 will be described more fully hereinafter.

The lower end portion of connecter element 53 is provided with a steam inlet port or passage 33 which has one end thereof terminating within the steam chest 3|. The port 63 is formed within a nozzlelike portion 61 projecting inwardly and upwardly into the center bore of connecter element 53. A second port or passage 64 for wet steam is formed in the lower end portion of element 53 between the periphery of the center bore of element 53 and the nozzlelike portion 61. The passage 64 is operatively connected to the distributing chamber 32 formed in the pressing head 29.

Mounted on the lower end of the shank portion 59 of adapter piece 58 and extending downwardly therefrom is a sleeve 65. A collar 66 is provided on the lower end of sleeve 65 which is adapted to seat on a flange 61 formed on the upper end of nozzlelike portion 61 formed in connecter element 53. The axial opening 68 formed in sleeve 55 is adapted to be disposed concentrically with respect to passage 33 when the adapter piece 58 is properly mounted on connecter element 53. By proper mounting of the piece 58 on the connecter element 53 is meant that the piece is threaded into connecter 53 until the collar 66 on sleeve 65 and the flange 6'! on nozzlelike portion 6i abut one another and effect a sealed joint.

The shank portion 59 of adapter piece 58 is provided with a center passage 10 which is disposed concentrically with respect to the, axial opening 6% formed in sleeve 05. symmetrically arranged about passage I0 are a plurality of narrow longitudinally-extending passages ii. The lower end of the passages "II are operatively connected to the outlet port 64 formed in connecter element 53. The upper ends of passages II terminate within a circular recess or well 12 formed in the head portion 60 of the adapter piece 50.

Threadably mounted into the upper end of passage I0 formed in adapter piece 58 is tubular section it provided with a center passage I4 which is concentrically disposed with respect to passage 70. The upper end portion of section I3 is threaded into a suitable opening 18 formed in an adapter housing 15. The upper end 18 of opening it is countersunk. A plug I9 caps opening it. The diameter of the countersunk end I8 of opening 70 is greater than the outside diameter of sleeve it thus resulting in a clearance iii therebetween. A pair of diametrically opposed, radially-extending passages 80 are formed in the upper end of sleeve I3 and serve to connect the central passage I4 formed in the sleeve with the clearance 19.

Disposed intermediate adapter housing and the head portion 60 of adapter piece 58 is a sealing gasket 10 which is provided with a center opening TI through which tubular section It extends and a plurality of openings I'I arranged symmetrically thereabout. The openings are adapted to be in registration with the recess I2 formed in hexagonal head 60 of piece 50.

The adapter housing It, which, as heretofore mentioned, is mounted on the connecter element 53 and adapter piece 53 by bracket 52, has formed therein a pair of elongated passages 8| and 82* which are arranged in parallel relationship with respect to one another. Passage 8| is designated as the dry steam passage and is disposed adjacent opening It so that the countersunk end Iii thereof is interconnected with passage 8|, as seen in Fig. 4. Passage 82 will be hereinafter referred to as the Wet steam passage.

The inlet port 553 formed in connecter 53, the opening 652 formed in sleeve 65, the center passage 10 formed in adapter piece 58, the passage it formed in tubular section I3, and the steam passage BI formed in adapter housing I5 form the conduit, designated 36 in Fig. 1, through which the dry steam passes from the steam chest IiI to the Venturi chamber 37.

Disposed at the end of passage 8| and extending downwardly therefrom is Venturi passage 83 which corresponds to the Venturi chamber 3'! in Fig. l. The throat 84 of Venturi. passage 83 has formed therein a port 35, see Fig. 7,

through which the condensate is directed to eifect mixing of the dry steam and condensate to produce supersaturated or Wet steam. Port 85 interconnects a chamber 81 formed in housing I5 with the throat 84 of passage 83. Mounted within chamber 8! is a hand operated valve 85 for regulating maximum flow of the condensate into Venturi chamber 83. The stem 86' of the valve 86 has one end 89 thereof tapered and restrictively disposed within port 85. Valve 86 corresponds to the valve 40 diagrammatically shown in Fig. 1.

A plurality of interconnected passages 88, 90, QI and 92, see Fig. 8, are formed in housing I5 through which the condensate flows from the condenser, or any other suitable source, to the chamber 81. The passage 92, which is disposed between and interconnects passages 90 and 9!, is relatively narrow and has restrictively positioned at one end thereof a ball check 93. The ball check serves to prevent reverse flow of the condensate from chamber 87.

It is believed that the theory and eifect of the Venturi principle is so well understood by those skilled in the art that a discussion thereof is deemed superfluous.

Subsequent to the mixing of the condensate and steam in throat 80 of passage 83 by the Venturi principle, the wet steam is directed through interconnecting passages 94 and 95' to the valve head 90 of the main control valve 97 for the wet steam. Passages 94 and 95' correspond to the conduit M shown in Fig. 1. Passage 95 is formed in a nozzlelike protuberance 05 which is disposed within a chamber 96 formed in housing 15. The valve head 98 is positioned within chamber 9% and is adapted to normally seal off the upper end of passage 95'. Extending upwardly from valve head 98 and disposed within. chamber 96 is a valve stem I00 having the upper end I0! thereof exposed and adapted to be engaged by the underside of control lever 453.

The control lever 48 is pivotally mounted at I02 to an upwardly extending bracket I03 formed on the adapter housing 15. The valve head 93 is adapted to normally seal off passage 9-5 by reason of coil spring I04 which causes a downward force to be exerted on the stem I00 by lever 48. The spring I04 has the lower end thereof connected to a pin I05 which is mounted on a lug portion I06 formed on the outer periphery of adapter housing I5. The upper end of spring IM is connected to a pin I0! which is mounted on a projecting portion of bracket Hi3. Extending transversely from pin I0! is a stud it which is adapted to normally seat in a notch !09 formed in the upper surfaceof the corresponding end of control lever 40. The tension of spring iEili may be varied by adjustment of either nuts ii i-a or II4b which are threadably mounted on the ends of pins I05 and 101, respectively. The movement of lever 48 in a counterclockwise direction about point I02, which determines the extent to which valve head 93 is unseated, is regulated by a stop IIO threadably mounted on an extension of bracket I03, see Fig. 3. When the lever 48 is caused to move in a counterclockwise direction about point I02 by the operator depressing the handle 48 thereof, the pressure of the wet steam causes valve head 90 to be unseated. The amount of wet steam which passes valve head 93 is dependent upon the amount of force exerted on the handle 48' by the operator. Upon the valve head 98 being unseated, the wet steam flows into the portion III of the chamber 06 which surrounds protuberance 95. The \vet steam passage 82 as heretofore described is operatively connected to the portion I ll of chamber 96 by a pair of interconnecting passages H2 and H3 formed in housing 15, as seen in Fig. 4. The wet steam passes from passage 82 through a transversely extending port H5 (see Figs. 4 and 6) which is in registration with one of the openings 11 formed in gasket 13. As heretofore mentioned, the openings 11 of gasket 16 are in registration with the recess 12 formed in the head portion 60 of adapter piece 58. From the recess 12, the wet steam passes through the narrow symmetrically arranged passages II to port 34 and then into the distributing chamber 32 of the pressing head.

As heretofore mentioned, the condensate for mixing with the dry steam is obtained by causing a portion of the return steam to be by-passed as it leaves the steam chest 31. To effect this bypassing of the dry steam from the chest 3!, a check valve 1 I3 is mounted on the return line 35, as seen in Fig. 2.

The check valve ill. as shown in detail in Figs. 12 and 13, comprises a valve housing II1 having formed therein a relatively large upper passage I23 and a small. lower passage H9. The passages are arranged in a substantially parallel relationship with respect to one another and are interconnected by port I22. To one end of passage II8 is threaded a nipple 35 which terminates within the steam chest 35. To the other end of passage H3 is threaded return line 35 which leads to the steam source, not shown. Approximately centrally positioned of passage I I3 is formed a throat I2I which effects a backing-up of the steam in the left hand portion IIBa of passage H2 as viewed in Fig. 12. The intercon-..

necting port I22. above referred to, is disposed on the left side of the throat I2I formed in passage H3 and causes a portion of the backed-up steam to find its way through port I22. The lower passage II9 formed in the valve housing II! com-.

prises right and left hand portions I I9a and I I917, respectively, as seen in Fig. 12. Port I22 connects left hand portion I I3a of passage I I8 to the right hand side 9a of passage II 9. Disposed within right hand portion II9a o1 passage H9 is an elongated filter I23 which serves as a strainer for the dry steam prior to its being condensed. A narrow passage I24 interconnects the right and left hand portions of passage I l9. Disposed within the left hand portion H91; of passage H9 is a ball check I25, which is adapted, when the pressing head 23 is in its open or angular position with respect to the buck 44', to seal off passage I24, thus preventing any condensate which may accumulate in the condenser I33 to be prevented from flowing back into the return line 35. A ball stop 52% is threadably mounted within passage Iltb and limits the movement of ball I25 when it is unseated. The ball 125 becomes unseated and passage I24 is opened, when the pressing head is brought into a substantially horizontal position by the operator. Gravity and the weight of the ball check I25 plus the steam pressure which has developed in the right hand side I ISa of passage I I3 causes the ball check I25 to assume the position as seen in Fig. 12. A transversely-extending passage I2? is formed in valve housing Ell which connects with the left hand portion ll9b of passage H9 as shown in Fig. 13. Connected to the other end of passage I21 is a tube 128 which leads to the condenser, see Fig. 2.

The preferred form of condenser I30 is shown in Fig. 2, and comprises an elongated tubular member 130 which is mounted by suitable brackets 13! to the peripheral surface of pressing head 29. The condenser I is of such length that the steam which is introduced at one end of the condenser is caused to travel a sufiicient distance before being removed therefrom that it becomes relatively cool and forms condensate. The outlet I29 for condenser I30 is disposed slightly lower than the inlet therefor, thus insuring that condensate will be adjacent the outlet when the pressing head is in a substantially horizontal position. A tube I32 interconnects the condenser I30 and the condensate control valve 50. When valve 50 is opened and the pressing head 29 is in its substantially horizontal position, the pressure of the steam in return line creates sufficient force so as to readily cause the condensate to flow through the condenser I30 and out tube I32 to mixing unit 41 wherein it combines with the dry steam to form a supersaturated or wet steam.

A modified form of condenser 133 is shown in Figs. 18 and 19. The condenser is cylindrical in shape and is mounted on the backside of the pressing head 29 intermediate the steam inlet and return lines 34 and 35, respectively. Suitable brackets I34 are provided for supporting condenser I33 and are adapted to engage the steam outlet and steam return lines. Condenser I33 is adapted to move as a unit with the pressing head 29. A tube I35 is provided which interconnects the steam return line 35 and the input end of condenser I33. The condensate which is formed in condenser I33 is removed therefrom through a connecting tube I32 which is connected at one end on the underside of the cylindrical condenser I33 and substantially centrally thereof and at the other end to the condensate control valve 50.

Another modified form I33 of steam condenser is shown in Fig. 27, which is rigidly mounted on the frame of the pressing machine 30 by a strap I39. In this instance the steam return line 35 from the pressing head 29 terminates in an adjustable connector I31. Extending downwardly from connector I31 is a stationary tube I38. The

-; lower end of tube I38 is interconnected to the right hand port of a T connection I4I by a nipple I40. The center port of the T connecter MI is interconnected to the upper side of condenser I36. The left hand port of the T connecter is interconnected to a return pipe I42. A flexible condensate tube I l-3 effects interconnection of the bottom side of condenser I36 and the control valve 50 which is mounted to pressing head 29.

A modified form I44 of a mixing unit is shown in Fig. 17 which is adapted to be mounted within the connecter element 53 which has heretofore been described. Unit I44 comprises an adapter piece I45 having the shank portion I45 thereof threaded into the upper end of connecter 53. The adapter piece M5 is provided with a hexagonalshaped head I41 formed at the upper end of shank portion I46. The adapter piece I45 is provided with a center bore I48 in which is slidably mounted wet steam control valve I5 I. The lower end I50 of the center bore is shaped into a Venturi chamber wherein the steam from the steam chest and the condensate from the condenser, not shown, is mixed to form wet steam. The valve I5! is provided with a valve head 152 which is adapted to normally seal off the Venturi chamber I53 as shown in Fig. 17. The stem 533 of valve I5I extends upwardly from valve head I52 and is adapted to project through a guide cap I54 which is threadably mounted in the upper end of center bore I 48. Formed in shank portion I43 of adapter piece I45 and parallel with respect to center bore I48 is a narrow passage I55. The upper end of passage I55 is interconnect-ed with a transversely disposed port I56 formed in head I41 of piece I45. The periphery of the lower end I i-I of shank portion I46 of piece I45 is reduced in size. The lower end of passage Hit terminates at the point where the shank size is reduced and is interconnected with a passage IE which is formed by a groove, formed in the periphery of the lower end portion I46 of the shank I46, and the interior periphery of a. cylindrical sleeve I58 which fits snugly on portion I46. A transversely extending port IIiEl is formed in the lower end portion Hit of the piece and is adapted to interconnect passage I51 with the throat of the Venturi chamber I58.

As in the case of the mixing unit 4?, shown in Fig. 3, adapter piece M5 is threaded into connecter element 53 a sunicient amount so as to cause the bottom edge of piece M5, on which is formed a depending flange I59, to abut the upper end of nozzlelike portion 61. When the adapter piece M5 is so positioned, the Venturi chamber Idil and passage 63 are concentric with respect to one another.

The valve stem i513 is actuated downwardly by a control lever, not shown. Upon the downward pressure on the stem I53 being released the valve head IE2 is caused to be unseated by the pressure of the steam contained within steam chest 3|. When the valve head I52 is unseated the dry steam flows from the steam chest 3! to the throat of the Venturi chamber I59 at which point it is mixed with the condensate. The wet steam then passes from the Venturi chamber I58 into the lower portion of center bore Hi8 and then through a narrow conduit iESI formed in the lower end portion of the adapter piece I 35. The conduit ISI serves to interconnect center bore I48 with the wet steam outlet port Ed formed in connecter element 53.

A second modified form I62 of mixing unit is shown in Fig. 14 comprising a housing I63 which is mounted on the dome-like portion 29 of the pressing head 2s. The housing I53 has formed therein a dry steam inlet port I65 having one end thereof terminating within steam chest 3I and the other end thereof terminating within a Venturi chamber I66 formed in housing I63. The

lower end of the Venturi chamber Hit is coincident to a passage It? formed in housing I63. The passage 5-57? directs the wet steam from the Venturi chamber to the wet steam control valve I68. The construction and function of valve N58 is substantially the same as valves 9"! and I5I, heretofore described for mixing units Ill and I44, respectively. The valve stem ill has the lower end thereof engaging valve head Its and the upper end thereof exposed. The exposed end of stem III is adapted to be engaged by a control lever Il'2. Control lever 3'62 serves a dual purpose in that it can simultaneously regulate the flow of the wet steam through passage I5? and the flow of the condensate into the throat of the Venturi chamber I66. Lever H2 is adapted to pivot about point I32, as seen in Fig. 15. The condensate which is discharged into the throat of Venturi chamber IE5 is controlled by valve I'It which in turn is controlled by lever I'I2.

The valve I13 is mounted within a chamber I'ifi formed in housing I63 which is interconnected to Venturi chamber IE6 by a narrow passage I'I4. The valve stem H6 of valve I'I3 has the inner end I'IIia thereof tapered and restrictively positioned within passage I14. The outer end I'IBb of the stem I'IIi has a collar I'II formed thereon which is adapted to be slidably disposed within a guide member H8. The guide member Ila, which is substantially channel-shaped in cross-section, is mounted on the side of control lever H2. The edges of the flanges IIt of member I13 are turned inwardly a slight amount such that the spacing between the inturned is less than the diameter of the collar iii mounted on the valve stem I76, but greater than the diameter of the valve stem I76. Thus, a slight amount of play exists between the collared end I'Iiib of the stem and the guide member I18, thereby enabling the lever I72 to freely pivot about point I82 without binding occurring between guide member I18 and the valve stem I76. Upon movement of the lever I72 to the left, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 14, the tapered end I'IEla of the valve stem is withdrawn from port I'M thus enabling the condensate to more readily flow into the throat of the Venturi chamber I66. The amount of sidewise movement of lever H2 is limited by a stop I88 which is adjustably mounted on a projecting arm I8! formed on adapter housing H53.

A modified form of condensate flow valve E83 is shown in Figs. 20 and 21. The valveis mounted on the backside of pressing head 29 and comprises a valve housing I85 and a solenoid I2 which is positioned adjacent said housing. The input side of the valve housing I85 is operatively connected by tube I32 to the outlet side of condenser I30. The output side of valve housing I85 is interconnected by a tube I86 with the mixing unit 41. The valve I83 is controlled by solenoid I84 which in turn is regulated by microswitch I81. The microswitch I8! is mounted within an elongated slot I88 formed in the backside of handle 44, see Fig. 22. The microswitch It? is connected by suitable wiring I9Il to the solenoid I84. A finger bar I9I is adjustably mounted within slot I88 and is secured to'the handle it by guide screws I92. The screws I92 are disposed within countersunk openings I93 formed in finger bar I9I and are threaded into handle M. The bar I9! upon being depressed is adapted to be moved longitudinally relative to the screws I92. A coil spring I94 embraces the shank of each screw I92 and serves to normally hold the finger bar I9I in an extended position relative to the backside of handle 44 as shown in Fig. 22. When the bar I9I is depressed the microswitch Iill is closed whereupon the solenoid I84 is energized and the valve I85 is opened thereby allowing the condensate from the condenser I30 to flow to mixing unit 41;

In Fig. 26, mixing unit 4! is shown in combination with a solenoid 2I2 which is mounted on a suitable bracket 2I3 above the adapter housing I5. The core of the solenoid 2I2 is adapted to actuate a bolt 2I4 which is threadably mounted on a boss 2|! formed on control lever 48. The energization of solenoid 2 I2 may be regulated by a microswitch arrangement similar to that shown in Fig. 22.

A fourth modified form of mixing unit its is shown in Figs. 23 through 25, which is of substantially the same construction as mixing unit 41 shown in Fig. 3. However, the ball check 93 disposed within passage of mixing unit 4?, as seen in Fig. 8, has now been replaced by a ball and spring combination I96, as shown in Fig. 24. One end of the spring IBM is adapted to engage the ball I96!) and cause the ball to normally seal off passage 92 formed in the housing lb. The upper end of the spring IBM is secured to a plunger it? which is disposed within passage 90 formed in the housing and extends upwardly therefrom. The plug I93 which capped the upper end of passage 99, as seen in Fig. 8, has been replaced in this instance by a guide bushing 29 through which the plunger [9! extends. The upper end of plunger [9! is operatively connected to one end time of a control lever 20!]. The lever 201i is pivotally mounted at point 2! to a bracket formed on housing 15. The control lever 20% is urged in a clockwise direction with respect to pivot point 2M by a coil spring 2I5 which embraces a stud bolt 2H5. The bolt 2H5 is mounted transversely on a boss 2l8 formed on lever 2M and on the opposite side of pivot point 2M from plunger l9l. Affixed to the outer end 2001) of lever 20!) is a handle 2&2. The control lever 200 is oiiset at a point 203 toward lever 48 so that handle 202 on lever 200 is disposed adjacent a handle 48 afiixed to the free end of the control lever 38. Thus because of the proximity of handles 202 and 48', the operator, with one hand, may readily regulate the mixing of the condensate and dry steam as well as the flow of the wet steam. Upon the depressing of lever 260 the tension of spring [96a on ball check I961) is relieved, thereby enabling the ball check [961, which is normally seated on passage 92, to become unseated by the pressure of the condensate and the reduction of pressure created in the throat of the Venturi chamber by the flow of the dry steam therethrough. The extent to which control lever 2GB is depressed will determine at what pressure differential the ball check I961) will be unseated and allow condensate to be discharged into the throat of the Venturi chamber.

Control lever 200 has mounted thereon, adjacent handle 202, a selector element 205 which enables the operator to manipulate control lever ii; independently or in concert with the control lever ace. However, the selector element 205 prevents the condensate control lever 20!) being depressed independently of lever 48. Thus the possibility of discharging condensate without being mixed with steam has been .prevented and the possibility of water spotting the garment to be pressed has been eliminated. The selector element 205 comprises a boss 205 formed integrally of the lever 280 and having a center bore, not shown, and a finger 206 extending transversely therefrom. The finger 206 is immovable and is adapted to abut the upper edge of control lever iii, as seen in Fig. 25. Pivotally mounted on the underside of boss 205 is a second finger 201, which is adapted to pivot about bolt 208 disposed within the center bore of the boss as an axis. One end 2% of finger 201 has formed thereon an upwardly extending knob 2E0, which serves to facilitate pivoting of the finger. The opposite end 2!! of finger 2!]? is angularly disposed and is adapted when the finger 207 is in position A of pivotal adjustment, see Fig. 23, to engage the underside of lever 48, see Fig. 25. When finger 2G! is in position A, the levers 48 and 28'!) will move as a unit. When finger 20'! is moved to position B, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 23, the end portion 2 l 5 thereof is out of engagement with the underside of lever 48 thus enabling the operator to depress lever 48 independently of lever 260.

While the various forms of mixing units and condensers heretofore described have been shown in combination with a pressing head of a conventional type pressing machine, it is to be understood of course that they maybe adapted to function effectively with the stationary buck of such a machine.

Thus it will be seen that a device has been provided for use in combination with a pressing element of a, pressing machine which enables a portion of the steam contained within the steam chest of the pressing element to be utilized to obtain condensate which may subsequently be mixed with the remainder of the steam to produce a wet or supersaturated steam which will more readily effect proper softening of a wider variety of garment fabrics prior to pressing thereof.

Furthermore, a device has been provided which prevents the possibility of water spotting the garment to be pressed.

While several embodiments of this invention are shown above, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not to be limited thereto, since many further modifications may be made, and it is contemplated, therefore, by the ap pended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In a garment pressing machine the combination of a pressing element having a compartment through which steam continuously circulates formed therein adjacent the pressing sur face of said element, a water supply, and means mounted on said machine for effecting mixing of steam from said compartment with water from said supply prior to the distributing of said watered steam at the pressing surface of said element; said means comprising a housing mounted on said machine and having formed therein a pair of passages, one of said passages being operatively connected at one end to said compartment and at the other end terminating at the pressing surface of said element and being provided intermediate said ends with a Venturi section, the second passage being operatively connected at one end to said water supply and the other end thereof terminating within the Venturi section of said first passage, and a control valve mounted on said housing for regulating the flow of the watered steam from said housing.

2. In a garment pressing machine the combination of a movable pressing element having formed therein a compartment through which steam continuously circulates and which is disposed adjacent the pressing surface of said element to effect heating thereof, a water supply, and means mounted on said movable element for effecting mixing of steam from said compartment with water from said supply; said means comprising a housing having a mixing chamber formed therein, a conduit leading from said compartment to said chamber, a second conduit leading from said water supply to said chamber, a third conduit leading from said chamber to the pressing surface of said element, and a valve member mounted on said housing for regulating the rate of flow of the mixed steam and water through said third conduit; the rate of fiow of water in said second conduit being dependent upon the rate of flow of the mixture in said third conduit.

3. In a garment pressing machine the combination of a pressing element having a steam compartment formed therein adjacent the pressing surface of said element, a water supply, and means mounted on said element for effecting mixing of steam from said compartment with water from said supply and discharging said mixture at said pressing surface; said means comprising a housing mounted on said element and having formed therein a mixing chamber, said chamber being operatively connected to said steam compartment and water supply, a conduit having one end thereof terminating in said mixing chamber and the other end thereof terminating adjacent pressing surface, a control valve mounted on said housing for regulating the flow of said mixed steam and water through said conduit, and a second control valve mounted on said housing and adjustable independently of or simul taneously with said first control valve for regulating the maximum flow of water into said chamber.

4. A pressing machine comprising a pressing element having a compartment formed therein through which steam continuously circulates, means mounted on said element for effecting condensation of said steam subsequent to circulating through said compartment, a mixing unit mounted on said element and operatively connected to said compartment and said condensating means for effecting mixing of said steam and condensate, a conduit for said mixed steam and condensate having one end thereof terminating in said unit and the other end thereof terminating adj acent the pressing surface of said element, and a control mounted on said housing for regulating the flow of the mixed steam and condensate through said housing.

5. A pressing machine comprising a pressing element having formed therein a compartment provided with inlet and outlet passages through which steam continuously circulates, a condenser mounted on said element and having an intake port formed therein and operatively connected to the outlet passage of said compartment, a unit for mixing steam and condensate having inlet and outlet portions mounted on said element, the inlet portion of said unit being interconnected to said compartment and adapted to receive steam therefrom, a conduit leading from said condenser to the inlet portion of said unit, a second conduit leading from the outlet portion of said unit and terminating adjacent the pressing surface of said element, and a control mounted on said unit for regulating the flow of the mixed steam through said second conduit.

6. A pressing machine comprising a pressing element having formed therein a cavity provided with inlet and outlet passages through which steam continuously circulates for heating the pressing surface of said element, means mounted on said machine for condensing the steam upon passing through said outlet passage, a mixing unit mounted on said element and operatively connected to said cavity and condensing means for effecting a mixture of steam and condensate, and a conduit for said mixed steam and condensate leading from said unit to said pressing surface.

7. A pressing machine comprising a pressing element having formed therein a cavity provided with an inlet port and a pair of outlet ports for continuously circulating steam therethrough, a mixing unit having formed therein a chamber interconnected to one of the outlet ports of said cavity, a hollow member mounted on said element and interconnected to the second outlet port of said cavity for effecting partial condensation of the steam passing from said cavity through said second outlet port, a condensate conduit leading from said hollow member to said chamber, a discharge conduit leading from 14 said chamber to the pressing surface of said element.

8. A pressing machine comprising a pressing element mounted thereon having a steam cavity through which steam continuously circulates formed therein adjacent the pressing surface of said element, a steam conduit communicating with said cavity and the pressing surface of said pressing element, and means communicating with a portion of said conduit intermediate said cavity and pressing surface for effecting saturation of the steam when the latter is flowing from said cavity to said pressing surface.

9. A device for use with a pressing machine having a pressing element provided with a steam chest, through which steam continuously circulates, disposed adjacent the pressing surface thereof, comprising a housing mounted on said element and provided with a Venturi mixing chamber, a steam input conduit leading to said chamber from said chest, a water input conduit angularly disposed with respect to said steam input conduit leading to said chamber from a water supply, a mixture output conduit leading from saidchamber to the pressing surface, and a control mounted on said housing and cooperating with said output conduit for regulating the flow of the mixture therethrough from said mixing chamber.

10. A device for use with a pressing element of a pressing machine having a cavity formed therein adjacent the pressing surface thereof through which steam continuously circulates, comprising a Venturi mixing chamber mounted on said element and operatively connected to said cavity, a steam condenser unit operatively connected to said cavity and said mixing chamber, a conduit for mixed steam and condensate leading from said mixing chamber to the pressing surface of said pressing element, and a control mounted on said machine for regulating the flow of steam from said cavity through said mixing chamber; the proportion of steam condensate to steam in said conduit being dependent upon the rate of flow of the steam from said cavity through said hollow member.

11. A device for use with a rockably mounted head of a pressing machine having a cavity formed in said head adjacent the pressing surface thereof through which steam continuously circulates, comprising a hollow member provided with a plurality of ports formed therein mounted on said head, one of said ports being operatively connected to said cavity, a steam condensing unit mounted on said head and movable therewith, said unit being operatively connected to a second port formed in said member, the steam condensate collected in said unit being adapted to pass from said unit to said member only when said head is in one position of rockable adjustment, a conduit for mixed steam and condensate operatively connected to a third port formed in said member, and a control mounted on said conduit for regulating the rate of flow of said mixed steam and condensate.

12. A device for use with a pressing machine having a pressing element with a cavity formed therein through which steam is circulated, comprising a hollow steam and condensate mixing member operatively connected to said cavity, a steam condenser mounted on said element and having the input side thereof operatively connected to said cavity and the output side thereof operatively connected to said mixing member, a control valve mounted on said member for regulating the How of condensate to said member, an operative connection between said member and the pressing surface of said pressing element, a second control valve mounted on said member for regulating the flow of the mixed condensate and steam from said member, and a lever mounted on said member for actuating said valves whereby said second control valve may be operated independently of or simultaneously with said first mentioned control valve.

13. A device for use with a pressing machine having a pressing element with a cavity formed therein through which steam is circulated, comprising a hollow steam and condensate mixing member operatively connected to said cavity, a steam. condenser mounted on said element and having the input side thereof operatively connected to said cavity and the output side thereof operatively connected to said mixing member, a control valve mounted on said member for regulating the flow of condensate to said member, an operative connection between said member and the pressing surface of said pressing element, a second control valve mounted on said member for regulating the flow of the mixed condensate and steam from said member, and a lever adjustably mounted on said member and adapted, when moved in one direction, to actuate said second control valve and, when moved in said one direction and a second direction transverse with respect to said one direction, to effect simultaneous actuation of said valves.

14. A device for use with a pressing machine having a pressing element with a cavity formed therein through which steam is circulated, comprising a holl W steam and condensate mixing member operatively connected to said cavity, a steam condenser mounted on said element and having the input side thereof operatively connected to said cavity and the output side thereof operatively connected to said mixing member, a control valve mounted on said member for regu lating the flow of condensate to said member, an operative connection between said member and the pressing surface of said pressing element, a second control valve mounted on said member for regulating the flow of the mixed condensate and steam from said member, and a lever pivotaily mounted on said member and adapted, when depressed, to actuate said second control valve, and when first depressed and then moved in a sidewise direction, to effect simultaneous actuation of said valves; the amount of sidewise movement of said lever determining the ratio of steam to condensate in the flow of the mixed condensate and steam from said member.

15. A device for use with a rockably mounted pressing head having formed therein a cavity through which steam continuously circulates, comprising a steam and condensate mixing unit mounted on said head and having one side thereof operative connection with said cavity, an elongated steam condenser mounted circumferntially on said head and operatively connected to said cavity and said unit, and a control valve mounted on said unit for regulating the flow of steam from said cavity through said unit.

16. A device for use with a rockably mounted pressing head having formed therein a cavity adiacent the pressing surface thereof through which steam circulates, comprising a steam and condensate mixing unit mounted on said head, said unit having an input and an output side, said input side being operatively connected to said cavity, an elon ated steam condenser mounted circumferentially on said head and adapted to receive steam from said cavit an operative connection from said condenser to the input side of said unit, a control element disposed intermediate said cavity and condenser and adapted to allow flow of steam from said cavity to said cononly when said head is in a substantially pressing position, an operative connection from the output side of said unit to the pressing surface of said head, and a flow valve mounted on the output side of said unit for regulating the 110)? of mixed steam and condensate from said unit through said last operative connection, the rate of the fiow of condensate into said unit being dependent upon the rate of flow of said mixed steam and condensate from said unit.

17. a device for use with a pressing machine having a pressing element provided with a cavity through which steam is circulated, comprising a steam and condensate mixing unit mounted on said cicment and having one side thereof in operative connection with said cavity, a steam conenser mounted on said element and having one ide thereof in operative connection with said avity and the other side thereof in operative connection with said one side of said unit, a remote controlled condensate flow valve mounted intermediate said condenser and said unit, a con duit for mixed steam and condensate leading from the other side of said unit and terminating at the pressin surface of said element, and a second flow valve for said mixed steam and condensate mounted on said other side of said unit, said first flow valve being effective only in combination with said second flow valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

